Containment of the unvaccinated: in Austria, the measure “is already bearing fruit” assures the Chancellor

Containment of unvaccinated people in Austria is a “difficult” measure which “is already bearing fruit,” Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said on Monday, citing “the massive increase in registrations at vaccination centers”. “It is not out of cheerfulness that we have partially deprived part of the population of their liberty, but the measure is already having an effect”, welcomed the Chancellor, who took this unprecedented decision in the European Union. in the face of the epidemic’s rebound.

Austria faces surge in new cases, highest since the start of the pandemic – 12. per day on average in this country of 8.9 million inhabitants. “The only chance to get out of this vicious circle is to increase the vaccination rate”, which is “shamefully low” (65% to date), insisted the chancellor . “I want to get the unvaccinated to be vaccinated and not to lock up the vaccinated,” he added, brushing aside accusations of discrimination or infringement of fundamental rights.

Soon children?

According to him, nearly half a million people received a dose last week in the central European country, including 128 813 for the first time, anticipating the introduction of restrictions. “I can not imagine that two thirds of the population are ready to give up their freedoms and accept confinement in solidarity with the third who has not yet been vaccinated,” said Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg.

Asked also about the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11, already implemented by the city of Vienna, the Chancellor said he expected the European Medicines Agency gives the green light “within two weeks”. He will launch “if this is the case, an appeal for the children to be vaccinated”.